The warnings issued by regulators in recent weeks over potential risks from token sales and initial coin offerings (ICOs) have prompted IFN to consider the Shariah perspectives on digital currencies, virtual tokens and ICOs – relatively newcomers to the finance world that remain largely unregulated. Controversial or revolutionary – it seems that Shariah opinions are divided.
We continue the exploration of novel concepts in our IFN Reports, particularly in India where an Islamic cooperative bank was launched, also to divided opinions; and we study the structure of Malaysia’s national electricity company’s first Sukuk in over a decade. In our crowdfunding and Afghanistan analyses, it is observed that new regulations are facilitating the progress of these two markets while in France, our contributor explores the new Islamic finance dynamics under a new president. We have two special reports this week: one on the risks in reshaping the relationship of the financial sector with society and another on Islamic equities. And of course, we have our regular updates from our correspondents from around the world.
As usual, we wish our readers an informative and insightful read.